Improvement in apparatus for fitting and setting axles



tirant' gaat eind (titula.

JAMES CUNNINGHAM. OF ROCHESTER., NEW YORK.

Letters Patent No. 109,115, dated November 8, 1870.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR FITTING AND SETTING AXLES.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent land making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern.-

Nature of the Incention This invention consists of an arrangement of dies for fitting the form of the iron axle to the wood, and for setting the arms or journals in proper position for the wheels at one andthe same operation; also, in the combination with the saine of a water-tank'or tanks, for preventing undue expansion of the dies under heat, as hereinafter described.

General Description.

.I l1 the drawing- Figure l is a perspective view, and

Figure 2, a longitudinal vertical section of .1ny-im provelnent.

A represents the upper, and B, the lower die, the latter being fixed rigidly in frame C, while the former is'movable vertically to `allow the insertion ofthe axle l).

Thisvertical movement is produced by means of hand-screws E E, resting in bearings G G ofthe frame, or by sonic equivalent mechanical means, which will allow of the proper pressure being givenkto bend and fit the axle when in place.

The cent-ral portions a. a of these dies are made of that curve or bend which lthe axle assumes when fitted to the wo0d-work.

They are also provided with extensions or projections b b at the ends, the sockets ot which are of that l'o'rxn which will iit the arms o1' journals ff.

The lower die is made ot' box-shape, or with anges that rise at the sides to hold the axle in place under the pressure of' the upper die.

rlhe axle, as it is take-n from the fire, is placed, `in

its heated state, in thelower die, andthe upper die is then pressed down upon it till it assumes the form necessary to assume to lit-the wooden part of the axle.

The extensions or projections l) b at the ends of the dies, simply serve to keep the journals in proper position, while the bend of the middle portion of the axle takes place.

Heretofore axles have been formed and tted by hand, which involves a Vgood deal of work, and pro` (luces an imperfect t. p

In my devicetheit is'perfeot and invariable, since but one form can be produced in the same machine,

- and' that* form adapted exactly to the wood-work,

leaving thereby a perfect joint.

The lower die rests in a water-tank, H, a portion of its depth and the upper die has also a`water-tank, H', inclosing it in the same manner.

These tanks, combined with the dies, form an essential feature of my invention, as they prevent undue expansion of the dies occasioned by the heat of A the axle, which would eect the iit or bend of the latter.

rlhis feature is indispensable, owing to the considablc length and slenderuess of the'dies', which would be sensitive to heat, and therefore extend the form by lengthening or expanding otherwise out of proportion.

rlhc apparatus above described is designed to take the place of the ordinary hand-work, and produce a much more perfect result than could otherwise be produced, saving greatly in expense and labor.

\Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is Y 1. The dies A B, sha-pedto the form of the fitted axle, and provided with the extensions b b, for setting the arms, the whole operating in themauner and for the purpose specified.

2. In combination with the above, the tank or tanks H H', substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In vwitness whereof, I have hereunto set my name in the presence ot' two subscribing witnesses.

Witnesses: JAMES CUNNINGHAM.

R. 111. OsGooD, G. WILLM; MIATT. 

